Hybrid sheet set

ABSTRACT

A sheet set packaged together as a set includes at least one flat sheet, at least one fitted sheet, and at least one pillow case. The at least one flat sheet is made of a first material. The at least one fitted sheet is made of a second material that is different from the first material. The at least one pillow case is made of a third material that is one of the same as or different from the first material and that is one of the same as or different from the second material.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/533,406, filed on Jul. 17, 2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The technology described herein relates to bedding for use on mattresses in the form of sheet sets.

BACKGROUND

Bedding sheet sets typically include a fitted sheet, a flat top sheet, and a pillowcase. Twin bed sheet sets typically come with a single pillow case while full, queen and king bed sheet sets typically include two pillow cases. Adjustable beds have risen in popularity. One type of adjustable bed is king-sized and includes two twin XL mattresses and is commonly referred to as a split king. A sheet set for a split king typically includes two twin XL fitted sheets, a single flat sheet, and two pillow cases. Many different types of sheets are known. Sheets made of a knitted material are typically stretchy. Sheets made of a woven material are typically substantially non-stretchy.

Knitted sheets can be made of cotton, polyester, lycra (Spandex™), wool, blends, other materials, or combinations thereof. Knit materials may have two-way stretch or four-way stretch. In either case, the fabric recovers to its original shape after being stretched. Two-way stretch fabrics stretch on the crossgrain, such as jersey knits. Four-way stretch fabrics stretch and recover in both the cross and lengthwise grains directions. Nylon/lycra fabrics are an example of four-way stretch. Jersey knits are made of cotton fibers and other materials that are knitted, similar to tee shirt material. Jersey provides stretch, softness, and comfort. Other types of knits include ITY (Interlock Twist Yarn), Ponte knit (double-knit interlock fabric), scuba knit (double-knit fabric of polyester and lycra), and techno knit (sturdy knit with a light sheet), among other knits. One type of knit frequently used in bedding is the jersey knit.

Types of woven sheets include flannel, percale, sateen, satin, microfiber, pinpoint, two-ply, and single-ply. Flannel is a twill, plain, medium-weight weave made of cotton with a napped finish on both sides, which provides a warm, fluffy and cozy feel. Percale is a plain-weave fabric made from both combed and carded cotton yarns, which provides a smooth finish and crisp feel. Sateen is a weave from cotton that produces more yarn surface, which creates a soft, smooth and lustrous finish that resembles satin. Satin is a silky, smooth finish resulting from very thin, high thread count fabric. Microfiber is a tight weave of man-made fibers spun into a very fine yard, which creates a soft finish and wrinkle resistance. Pinpoint is a stitch of two over and one under, which makes it durable, but not as soft as other weaves. Two-ply is a fabric made of yarn plied with two threads creating heavy-duty durable sheets with a heavier feel. Single-ply is a fabric that uses individual, un-plied threads, which results in a softer draped fabric.

Woven sheets may be made from Egyptian cotton, pima cotton, upland cotton, tencel, silk, polyester, bamboo (rayon), wool, other materials, and blends. Egyptian cotton has extra-long fibers, which makes the fabric soft. Pima cotton has medium to extra-long fibers that provides softness and natural sheen. Upland cotton has a shorter fiber than Pima and Egyptian cotton, so it is not as soft as Pima and Egyptian. Tencel is a fabric made from eucalyptus tree wood pulp. It's soft, durable, and antimicrobial. Silk is a luxurious, soft fiber produced by silk worms. Polyester is a manmade fiber produced from polymers. It is inexpensive, stiff and scratchy on its own, which is why polyester is often mixed with cotton to provide inexpensive sheet sets. Bamboo sheets are made of rayon from bamboo pulp that is chemically treated. Bamboo rayon is very soft, durable and silky. Blends are made from a form of cotton and manmade materials, such as bamboo, rayon or polyester. Blended fabrics are inexpensive, durable and wrinkle resistant.

Sheet sets include fitted and flat sheets that are made of the same material. However, oftentimes, one sheet within the set fits well while the other is harder to manage. For example, in the case of jersey knit sheets, the fitted sheet fits exceptionally well since it stretches to fit the underlying mattress. However, the flat sheet tends to bunch and stick to a user when the user moves in bed. In addition, pillow cases of jersey knit may not be desirable for all people. In contrast, woven sheets, such as cotton percale, work well for a flat sheet since they tend to keep their shape and feel good against a user's skin. However, fitted percale sheets often bunch and do not fit as well as knitted sheets.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the teachings described herein, a sheet set is shown and described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 depicts a prior art mattress and bedding construction; and

FIG. 2 depicts a hybrid sheet set according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring FIG. 1, a prior art bed 10 is shown that includes a mattress 12 and box spring 14, with the box spring 14 being positioned on a stand 16. Alternatively, the box spring 14 and mattress 12 could be positioned on a bed frame (not shown). The mattress 12 is surrounded by a mattress pad 18, which has edges that extend under the mattress 12, between the box spring 14 and mattress 12. Alternatively, a mattress cover and/or a mattress topper (neither of which is shown) could be used instead of a mattress pad, or in addition thereto.

A fitted sheet 20 is positioned adjacent the mattress pad 18. The fitted sheet 20 surrounds the mattress pad 18 and has edges that extend under the mattress 12, between the box spring 14 and the mattress 12. A flat sheet 22 is positioned over the fitted sheet 20. At the bottom end 24 of the mattress 12, the flat sheet 22 is shown tucked under the end 24 of the mattress 12. At the top end 26 of the mattress 12, the flat sheet 22 is positioned on top of the fitted sheet 20 and is spaced from the top end 26 of the mattress 12 to allow a person to lie under the flat sheet 22. Flat sheets 22 may be tucked under one or more of the mattress edges, or may alternatively be left to fall along the sides 28 or bottom end 24 of the mattress 12 without being tucked in.

A blanket 30 is shown positioned over the flat sheet 22. The blanket 30 is shown falling along the bottom end 24 of mattress 12, but not tucked in under the mattress 12. At the top end 26 of the mattress 12, the blanket 30 is spaced from the top end 26 of the mattress 12 to allow a person to lie under the blanket 30 and flat sheet 22. The blanket 30 may alternatively be tucked in under the mattress 12 along one or more edges 24, 28 of the mattress. A comforter 32 is shown positioned over the blanket 30 and hangs along the sides 28 of the mattress 12. Comforters 32 are not typically tucked in under the mattress 12, but could be, if desired.

A dust ruffle 34 is shown extending around the box spring 14. Its upper end is tucked between the mattress 12 and box spring 14, and it is usually the lowest layer of articles between the mattress 12 and box spring 14. The dust ruffle 34 falls around the sides 36, bottom 38, and sometimes top end of the box spring and can hide the box spring 14 from view. A pillow 40 with sham is shown depicted on top of the comforter 32. More than one blanket, comforter, flat sheet, fitted sheet, dust ruffle, pillow, or other items may also be used in a sleep system, with the typical articles being depicted.

Prior art sheet sets include components of a fitted sheet, a flat sheet, and a pillow case, with each component being of the same material.

According to the invention, a hybrid sheet set 50 is described herein and includes a fitted sheet 20, a flat sheet 22, and a pillow case 42. The hybrid sheet set 50 described herein does not have components made of all the same material. In particular, the hybrid sheet set 50 is a hybrid in that it is different from the conventional sheet set.

The hybrid sheet set 50 of the invention utilizes a fitted sheet 20 that is knitted and a flat sheet 22 that is woven. The pillow case 42 may be either knitted or woven.

Knitted fitted sheets are soft and feel like you are sleeping on a comfortable t-shirt. Knitted fitted sheets are stretchy, and, as such, they are well suited to being a fitted sheet 20 because they stretch to conform to the mattress upon which they are seated. Pillow cases 42 that are made of a knitted material can also be desirable in some cases. Alternatively, the type of material that a pillow case 42 is made of can be one of personal preference, with some users desiring to sleep on a soft, t-shirt like material while others preferring the crisp feel of a woven pillow case 42.

Woven sheets are typically not knitted and have little or no stretch. They have a feel that is completely different from the feel of a knitted sheet. Because woven fitted sheets are not stretchy, it is often hard to fit them onto a mattress perfectly. They tend to bunch up after a user has slept on them and need to be pulled tight again after sleeping. A flat woven sheet, however, provides a crisp, clean feel that many users prefer to sleep against. Types of woven sheets include: cotton, supima and pima cotton, Egyptian cotton, bamboo, cotton rich (sheets with at least 50% cotton), microfiber, polyester, other synthetics, wool, other materials, and blends. Types of weaves include damask, embossed, flannel, jacquard, percale, printed, sateen, and satin, among other known weaves.

The hybrid sheet set 50 described herein is different from the conventional sheet set in that it incorporates a knitted fitted sheet, a woven sheet, and a knitted or woven pillowcase 42. The pillow case 42 could have one side knitted and one side woven to permit a user to select the type of fabric they would like to rest their face against.

In the embodiments described herein, the entire sheet component (e.g., flat sheet 22 or fitted sheet 20) is made of one type of material, while the pillow case 42 can be entirely made of one material or have sides to the pillow that are made of different materials. Alternatively, the pillow could have different sections or zones, not necessarily associated with a particular side of the pillow that have different materials. For example, the bottom half of one side of the pillow could be knitted while the top half of the pillow could be woven or vice versa. Or the left half of the pillow could be knitted while the right half of the pillow could be woven. Or the center portion of the pillow (e.g., top to bottom, left to right, or only in the center with a border around it) could be knitted and the outer areas could be woven, or vice versa.

The hybrid sheet set 50 is advantageous in that it provides a stretchy material for the fitted sheet 20 and a non-stretchy material for the flat sheet 22. The user gets the benefit of a well-fitted fitted sheet 20 and a comfortable, crisp flat sheet 22 in one set, as well as either multiple pillow cases made of different materials, or having one side different from the other.

Multiple fitted sheets and pillow cases may be included in the set, if desired. In addition, multiple flat sheets may be included in the set, if desired.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, a hybrid sheet set 50 packaged together as a set includes at least one flat sheet 22, at least one fitted sheet 20, and at least one pillow case 42. The at least one flat sheet 22 is made of a first material. The at least one fitted sheet 20 is made of a second material that is different from the first material. The at least one pillow case 42 is made of a third material that is one of the same as or different from the first material and that is one of the same as or different from the second material.

The first material may be a non-knitted weave. The second material may be a knitted weave. The third material may be a knitted weave or a non-knitted weave. The pillow case 42 may include a first side and a second side. The first side may be made of the first material and the second side may be made of the second material.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a hybrid sheet system sold as a set includes at least one flat sheet 22, at least one fitted sheet 20, and at least one pillow case 42. The at least one flat sheet 22 is made of a first material. The at least one fitted sheet 20 is made of a second material that is different from the first material. The at least one pillow case 42 is made of a third material that is the same as or different from the first material and that is the same as or different from the second material. The user can select from the set the type of materials for each of the flat sheet 22, fitted sheet 20, and pillow case 42.

The first material may be a non-knitted weave. The second material may be a knitted weave. The third material may be a knitted weave, a non-knitted weave, or a combination of a knitted weave and a non-knitted weave.

The pillow case 42 may include a first side and a second side. The first side may be made of the first material and the second side may be made of the second material.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a sheet system includes at least one fitted sheet 20, at least one flat sheet 22, and at least one pillow case 42. The at least one flat sheet 22 is made of a woven, non-stretchy material. The at least one fitted sheet 20 is made of a knitted, stretchy material. The at least one pillow case 42 is made of either a woven, non-stretchy material or a knitted, stretchy material. The fitted sheet(s), flat sheet(s), and pillow case(s) are sold as a set.

The at least one pillow case 42 may have a first side and a second side. The first side may be a woven, non-stretchy material and the second side may be a knitted, stretchy material. The woven, non-stretchy material may be cotton, Egyptian cotton, pima cotton, upland cotton, Tencel, silk, polyester, bamboo (rayon), microfiber, synthetics, wool, blends, or combinations thereof. The weave associated with the woven, non-stretchy material may be damask, embossed, flannel, jacquard, percale, printed, sateen, or satin.

The pillow case 42 may have a first side that is knitted and a second side that is woven. The pillow case 42 may utilize both knitted and woven fabrics on one or more sides of the pillow.

Non-woven fabrics, while not presently commercially viable for bed sheets, may become viable in the future and have traditionally been non-stretchy. If non-woven fabrics become viable alternatives for bedding, and a stretchy version is developed, the non-woven stretchy material could also be substituted for the knitted fitted sheet 20, while a non-stretchy version could be substituted for the flat sheet 22. Thus, a knitted fitted sheet 20 could be non-woven and a woven flat sheet 22 could be non-woven, as long as the material selected for the fitted sheet 20 is stretchy and the material selected for the flat sheet 22 is non-stretchy.

The term “substantially,” if used herein, is a term of estimation.

While various features are presented above, it should be understood that the features may be used singly or in any combination thereof. Further, it should be understood that variations and modifications may occur to those skilled in the art to which the claimed examples pertain. The examples described herein are exemplary. The disclosure may enable those skilled in the art to make and use alternative designs having alternative elements that likewise correspond to the elements recited in the claims. The intended scope may thus include other examples that do not differ or that insubstantially differ from the literal language of the claims. The scope of the disclosure is accordingly defined as set forth in the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A hybrid sheet set packaged together as a set comprising: at least one flat sheet made of a first material; at least one fitted sheet made of a second material that is different from the first material; and at least one pillow case made of a third material that is one of the same as or different from the first material and that is one of the same as or different from the second material.
 2. The sheet set of claim 1, wherein the first material is a non-knitted weave.
 3. The sheet set of claim 2, wherein the second material is a knitted weave.
 4. The sheet set of claim 3, wherein the third material is a knitted weave or a non-knitted weave.
 5. The sheet set of claim 1, wherein the pillow case includes a first side and a second side, and the first side is made of the first material and the second side is made of the second material.
 6. A hybrid sheet system sold as a set comprising: at least one flat sheet made of a first material; at least one fitted sheet made of a second material that is different from the first material; and at least one pillow case made of a third material that may be the same as or different from the first material and that may be the same as or different from the second material, wherein a user can select from the set the type of materials for each of the flat sheet, fitted sheet, and pillow case.
 7. The sheet system of claim 6, wherein the first material is a non-knitted weave; the second material is a knitted weave, and the third material is a knitted weave, a non-knitted weave, or a combination of a knitted weave and a non-knitted weave.
 8. The sheet system of claim 6, wherein the pillow case includes a first side and a second side, and the first side is made of the first material and the second side is made of the second material.
 9. A hybrid sheet system comprising: at least one flat sheet made of a woven, non-stretchy material; at least one fitted sheet made of a knitted, stretchy material; and at least one pillow case made of either a woven, non-stretchy material or a knitted, stretchy material, all sold as a set.
 10. The sheet system of claim 9, wherein the at least one pillow case has a first side and a second side, and the first side is a woven, non-stretchy material and the second side is a knitted, stretchy material.
 11. The sheet system of claim 9, wherein the woven, non-stretchy material is cotton, Egyptian cotton, pima cotton, upland cotton, tencel, silk, polyester, bamboo (rayon), microfiber, synthetics, wool, blends, or combinations thereof.
 12. The sheet system of claim 9, wherein the weave associated with the woven, non-stretchy material is damask, embossed, flannel, jacquard, percale, printed, sateen, or satin.
 13. The sheet system of claim 9, wherein the pillow case has a first side that is knitted and a second side that is woven.
 14. The sheet system of claim 9, wherein the pillow case utilizes both knitted and woven fabrics on one or more sides of the pillow. 